Creative Spirits Can Beat the Heat at UH's Blaffer Art Museum

Summer
is the season for creativity at the University of Houston. In July, Houstonians
can converge on Cougar Country for a range of arts activities at Blaffer Art
Museum.

Blaffer
is presenting two acclaimed exhibitions – Andy Coolquitt “Attainable
Excellence” and Pamela Fraser “The Fourth Dimension was Ha-Ha, in Other Words,
That is Laughter.” In July, it expands on these collected works by offering
public programs designed to educate and engage art aficionados of all ages.

The
month kicks off with Summer Arts, the museum’s annual workshop aimed at
elementary and middle school students. Led by artist (and UH alum) Lindsey
Slavin, Summer Arts runs July 9 – 19. The workshop provides young creative
spirits with an opportunity to create dynamic new works inspired by Blaffer
exhibitions. For works focused on Coolquitt’s art, students will utilize found
objects, while Fraser’s pieces will inspire an exploration of color. Students
also will develop artistic alter egos and compose short stories and generate
art focused on their respective characters. Summer Arts registration is $80, and
scholarships are available. Students can select Tuesday/Thursday or
Wednesday/Friday sessions. All Summer Arts sessions run 9:30 a.m. – noon.

In
July, Blaffer also hosts Saleri Studio Saturdays from 1 – 4 p.m., July 13 and
20. These free weekend tours and workshops are open to patrons of all ages. Following
a short tour, participants can create their own art in Blaffer’s Saleri Studio
with guidance from Blaffer curator of education Katherine Veneman, education
intern Araceli Casas and UH School of Art student Nohelia Vargas. These events are free, but reservations are required.

To
enroll students in Summer Arts or to reserve a spot in Saleri Studio Saturdays,
contact Veneman at keveneman@uh.edu or 713-743-9526.

Also
in July, the museum will present its Brown Bag Gallery Talks. On July 10, artist
Hana Hillerova delivers a talk and tour on Coolquitt’s work. Texas artist Myke
Venable leads a discussion on Fraser’s art on July 17. Both tours begin at noon
and are followed by conversations in Blaffer’s lounge. Patrons are encouraged
to bring a lunch.

For
more details on Blaffer’s educational events in July, visit its online calendar.

Blaffer Art Museum opened to the public in
1973. Named for Houston arts patron and collector Sarah Campbell Blaffer, the
museum quickly earned notoriety as a space for innovative, cutting-edge
exhibitions. In addition to hosting artists’ works, the museum commissions work
and organizes exhibitions that tour nationally. In 2012, the museum underwent
an expansion that included the addition of lounge, new second level spaces
(studio, media gallery), front entrance, new signage and redesigned staircase.
To learn about Blaffer Art Museum, visit its website.